Nectarine tree named &#34;NECTACHIEF&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTACHIEF’, has an evenness of maturity, a very sure, regular and large quantity of productivity, a long lifetime before and after harvest, and an aromatic semi soft taste.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2005/0908 filed on May 18, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch—Yellow Nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of prunus persica (L.) Batsch yellow nectarine tree. This tree, named ‘NECTACHIEF’, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality, semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the 66—Pyrénées Orientales—France. Contrast is made to ‘ZAITABO’ nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘NECTACHIEF’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an evenness of maturity, a very sure, regular and large quantity of productivity. It was chosen because of its lifetime before and after harvest, and because of its aromatic semi soft taste.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘NECTACHIEF’ nectarine tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the 66—Pyrénées Orientales—France where it was tested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in a temperate area characterized by irregular and low precipitation with drought in summer, high temperatures all year long. The ‘NECTACHIEF’ variety was obtained by seedling. The male parent was ‘ZAITABO’ nectarine and the female parent was ‘ARMKING’ nectarine. ‘NECTACHIEF’ was provisionally designated and tested as 01.23.01 NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 29, 2004 under number 1016557. It was obtained from open-pollination sowing of hybrid and is propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually situated at Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms with ‘NECTACHIEF’ nectarine in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées Orientales, France. More particularly, it blooms at the same time as ‘NECTAROSS’ or ‘MAILLARMATE’, 3 days after “ZAITABO”, between 7^(th) and 21^(st) of March.

The fruit of NECTACHIEF first ripens in early July 6 days after ‘ZAITABO’. More particularly, it approximately ripens between June 4^(th) and 13^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colour illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a colour photograph which shows the flesh of the fruit of the new variety ‘NECTACHIEF’.

FIG. 2 is a colour photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruit of the new variety ‘NECTACHIEF’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTACHIEF’ is high, due to its early ripening, its evenness of maturity. Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-spread out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower is showy and rosaceous with relative medium petal size. Petals are pink. Two or three nectarine leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is early. The fruit flesh is yellow and its skin is shiny red orange. The stone is medium size and the flesh is adherent.

Compared to ‘ZAITABO’ variety, ‘NECTACHIEF’ has an older time of maturity, 6 to 7 days later. The evenness is maturity is higher from 10 days to 2 weeks instead of three weeks. Number of flowers is bigger, approximately more than 34 to 45 flowers per square meter instead of 15 to 20 flowers for ‘ZAITABO’. Fruits can be harvested 2 or 3 times. The flesh tastes more aromatic even if the texture is similar. The stone is not splitted like in ‘ZAITABO’ variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at Elne which is located in the Pyrénées Orientales, France.

Tree

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium and large as compared to other             common commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the middle             season of maturity. -   Vigour: Considered vigorous. -   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,     and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of     observation and thinning was necessary during the past 3 years. -   Form: Upright semi-standing, and pruned to a vase semi-spread out     shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrénées     Orientales climatic conditions.

Trunk

-   Diameter: Considered average. -   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of     papery scarfskin being present. -   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. -   Lenticel colour: Considered brown. -   Bark colouration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a     medium grey-brown.

Branches

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. -   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is     several years old. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable. This     particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the     variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Considered average. -   Colour of mature branches: Medium brown. -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Colour.—Light green. The colour of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green.

Leaves

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements     have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at     approximately mid-shoot. -   Leaf length: Considered average. -   Leaf width: Considered average. -   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal     axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. Considered to be relatively narrow for the     species. -   Leaf tip form: Reniform. -   Leaf colour:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—green. -   Leaf texture: Glabrous. -   Leaf colour: green. -   Lower surface: Medium green. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Colour.—Light yellow green. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered crenate. -   Uniformity: Considered generally uniform. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.         -   Colour.—Pale green. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally             two glands per margin side.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Colour.—Considered a pale orange. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.         -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 4 per shoot tip.         -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.         -   Colour.—Green, when young, but graduating to a brown colour,             with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be             early deciduous.

Flowers

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—The floral buds, depending upon the stage of             development, are conic in form; and slightly appressed             relative to the bearing shoot. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Colour.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple. The buds are             considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées Orientales             climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury has been noted during the last several     years of evaluation in the central Pyrénées Orientales. The current     variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat     stress, and therefore this information is not available. -   Date of bloom: early March. -   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrénées     Orientales, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March,     more particularly between March 7^(th) and 21^(st). The date of     bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural     practices. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 15 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy rosaceous     type flower. -   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom approximately 34.0 to     about 38.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered very abundant, approximately from 35 to     45 flowers per meter. -   Flower bud frequency: Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per node. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered small for the species. -   Length: Considered average. -   Width: Considered average. -   Petal form: Slightly ovoid. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Glabrous. -   Petal colour: Pink. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a             medium size when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Considered average.         -   Width.—Considered average. -   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to     slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long.         -   Diameter.—Considered average.         -   Colour.—A medium brown. -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Colour.—A dull orange. -   Calyx:     -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.         -   Colour.—Purple. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.         -   Colour.—A deep purple. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Colour.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow colour. The     present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Length is variable and is considered average. -   Colour: Considered light pink. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Considered average. including the ovary.         -   Colour.—Considered a very pale green.         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long glabrous pistil.

Fruit

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of picking: July, more particularly between July 4^(th) and     13^(th). The date of harvest varies slightly with the prevailing     climatic conditions. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform. -   Average cheek diameter: Considered average. -   Average axial diameter: Considered average. -   Typical weight: Approximately between 150.0 and 200.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Considerably oblate. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry. -   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Colour.—This has an orange background colour. -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Only slightly indented. -   Apex: Rounded. -   Base: Generally retuse. -   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick, and tenacious to the             flesh.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—softy, sweet, aromatic.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Colour:     -   -   Blush colour.—This blush colour is generally red and red             orange. The red blush covers more than 90% of the fruit skin             surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin             surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the             prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground colour.—Yellow. -   Fruit stem: Medium in length. -   Diameter: Considered average. -   Colour: Pale yellow-green. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.         -   Aroma.—Very slight.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and sub acidic. The flavor is             considered both pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—This characteristic varies slightly with the number of             fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the             surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh colour.—Yellow.

Stone

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Average. -   Width: Average. -   Diameter: Average. -   Form: Ovoid. -   Base: The stone is usually rounded to slightly oblique relative to     the ventral side. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is irregularly furrowed toward the             apical end. Pitting is generally more present and noted on             the lateral sides and toward the base.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered medium. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Full, lightly grooved, and having a reasonably smooth             margin. -   Stone colour: The colour of the dry stone is generally considered a     reddish brown. -   Tendency to split: No splitting. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.         -   Form.—Considered ovoid.         -   Pellicle.—No pubescent.         -   Colour.—brown-orange. -   Use: The subject variety ‘NECTACHIEF’ is considered to be a     nectarine tree of the early season of maturity, and which produces     fruit that are considered very firm, attractively coloured, and     which are useful for both local and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed one week on tree before     harvest and then, has stored well up to 3 weeks after harvest at 1.0     degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new nectarine     variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after     being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or     detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or     fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near ELNE, FRANCE, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by an evenness of maturity, a very sure, regular and large quantity of productivity, a long lifetime before and after harvest, and an aromatic semi soft taste. 